[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 76 (Friday, April 20, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19790-19793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7519]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27786; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-031-AD; 
Amendment 39-15031; AD 2007-09-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 182H, 
182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, and 182R Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 182 series airplanes 
that are equipped with Air Plains Services Corporation Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) SA00152WI. This AD

[[Page 19791]]

requires you to disconnect or remove the electrical cable between the 
forward ground power relay and the starter relay, install a placard, 
inspect the fuel line between the auxiliary electric fuel pump and the 
engine-driven fuel pump for chafing, and replace the fuel line if 
chafing is found. This AD results from a report of an in-flight and 
post-landing engine compartment fire. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct interference between the ground power electrical cable, the 
fuel strainer cable, and the fuel line between the auxiliary electric 
fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump. This condition could lead to 
a fire in the engine compartment.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 25, 2007.
    On April 25, 2007 the Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by June 19, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    To get the service information identified in this AD, contact Air 
Plains Services Corporation, P.O. Box 541, Wellington, KS 67152; phone: 
620-326-8904; Internet: http://www.airplains.com.
    To view the comments to this AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. The 
docket number is FAA-2007-27786; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-031-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trenton Shepherd, Aerospace Engineer, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4143; fax: (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report of a Cessna Model 182Q airplane with Air 
Plains Services Corporation STC SA00152WI installed that had an in-
flight and post-landing fire. The preliminary finding, per the National 
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is that the electrical cable 
between the forward ground power relay and the starter relay chafed on 
either the fuel strainer control or on the fuel line between the 
auxiliary electric fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump. The cable 
shorted, welded the fuel strainer control cable to the firewall, and 
burned the fuel line between the auxiliary electric fuel pump and the 
engine-driven fuel pump.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in a fuel leak and 
fire in the engine compartment.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Air Plains Services Corporation Mandatory Service 
Bulletin APS-07-01-01, dated March 5, 2007. The service information 
describes procedures for the following actions:
    <bullet> Disconnecting or removing the electrical cable between the 
forward ground power relay and the starter relay;
    <bullet> Repositioning the fuel strainer cable;
    <bullet> Inspecting the fuel line between the auxiliary electric 
fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump for chafing; and
    <bullet> Adjusting the position of the fuel line fitting at the 
engine-driven fuel pump.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD requires 
you to disconnect or remove the ground power electrical cable between 
the forward ground power relay and the starter relay, install a 
placard, inspect the fuel line between the auxiliary electric fuel pump 
and the engine-driven fuel pump for chafing, and replace the fuel line 
if chafing is found.
    This AD is considered interim action. The FAA is working with the 
STC holder on developing a design change for the ground power 
electrical cable. If a modification is developed, the FAA will evaluate 
it and determine whether future rulemaking action is necessary to 
address this condition.
    In preparing this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to get technical information and information on operational 
and economic impacts. We did not receive any information through these 
contacts. If received, we would have included a discussion of any 
information that may have influenced this action in the rulemaking 
docket.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
27786; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-031-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 
of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this AD.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under

[[Page 19792]]

Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is 
located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2007-09-01 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-15031; Docket No. 
FAA-2007-27786; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-031-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on April 25, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 
182N, 182P, 182Q, and 182R airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
    (i) Have Air Plains Services Corporation Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) SA00152WI installed;
    (ii) Have a ground power receptacle mounted on the firewall 
(forward ground power receptacle); and
    (iii) Are certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of an in-flight and post-
landing engine compartment fire. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct interference between the ground power electrical cable, 
the fuel strainer cable, and the fuel line between the auxiliary 
electric fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump. This condition 
could lead to a fire in the engine compartment.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Remove power to the ground    Within 15 days      Follow Air Plains
 power electrical cable by:        after April 25,     Services
                                   2007 (the           Corporation
                                   effective date of   Mandatory Service
                                   this AD).           Bulletin APS-07-
                                                       01-01, dated
                                                       March 5, 2007.
                                                      (i) Disconnecting
                                                       the electrical
                                                       cable at the
                                                       forward ground
                                                       power relay and
                                                       the starter
                                                       relay, or
                                                      (ii) Removing the
                                                       electrical cable
                                                       between the
                                                       forward ground
                                                       power relay and
                                                       the starter
                                                       relay.
(2) Fabricate and install a       Before further      The owner/operator
 placard as close as possible to   flight after        holding at least
 the forward ground power          power to the        a private pilot
 receptacle that incorporates      ground power        certificate as
 the following words (using at     cable is removed    authorized by
 least 1/8-inch red letters on a   per paragraph       section 43.7 of
 white background and a red        (e)(1) of this AD.  the Federal
 border): ``GROUND POWER                               Aviation
 RECEPTACLE IS INOPERATIVE.''                          Regulations (14
                                                       CFR 43.7) may
                                                       fabricate and
                                                       install the
                                                       placard. Make an
                                                       entry into the
                                                       aircraft records
                                                       showing
                                                       compliance with
                                                       these portions of
                                                       the AD in
                                                       accordance with
                                                       section 43.9 of
                                                       the Federal
                                                       Aviation
                                                       Regulations (14
                                                       CFR 43.9).
(3) Reposition the fuel strainer  Within 15 days      Follow Air Plains
 cable.                            after April 25,     Services
                                   2007 (the           Corporation
                                   effective date of   Mandatory Service
                                   this AD).           Bulletin APS-07-
                                                       01-01, dated
                                                       March 5, 2007.
(4) Visually inspect the fuel     Within 15 days      Follow Air Plains
 line from the auxiliary           after April 25,     Services
 electric fuel pump to the         2007 (the           Corporation
 engine-driven fuel pump for       effective date of   Mandatory Service
 chafing.                          this AD).           Bulletin APS-07-
                                                       01-01, dated
                                                       March 5, 2007.
(5) If chafing at or beyond the   Before further      Follow Air Plains
 limits defined in the Air         flight after any    Services
 Plains Services Corporation       inspection where    Corporation
 Mandatory Service Bulletin APS-   evidence of         Mandatory Service
 07-01-01, dated March 5, 2007,    chafing is found.   Bulletin APS-07-
 is found in the inspection                            01-01, dated
 required by paragraph (e)(4) of                       March 5, 2007.
 this AD, replace the fuel line
 between the auxiliary electric
 fuel pump and the engine-driven
 fuel pump with a new hose part
 number AE3663161G0190 (or FAA-
 approved equivalent) and remove
 the ground power electrical
 cable per (e)(1)(ii) of this AD.

[[Page 19793]]

 
(6) Adjust the position of the    Within 15 days      Follow Air Plains
 fuel line fitting at the engine-  after April 25,     Services
 driven fuel pump.                 2007 (the           Corporation
                                   effective date of   Mandatory Service
                                   this AD).           Bulletin APS-07-
                                                       01-01, dated
                                                       March 5, 2007.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, ATTN: Trenton Shepherd, Aerospace Engineer, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4143; fax: 
(316) 946-4107, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using 
any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must use Air Plains Services Corporation Mandatory 
Service Bulletin APS-07-01-01, dated March 5, 2007, to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Air 
Plains Services Corporation, P.O. Box 541, Wellington, KS 67152; 
phone: 620-326-8904; Internet: http://www.airplains.com.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 13, 2007.
Charles L. Smalley,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-7519 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P